Proclamation No. 824, s. 1991

2MS |'"RARY MALACANANG Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 824

DECLARING THE YEAR 1992 AS PRESIDENT MANUEL A. ROXAS CENTENNIAL YEAR IN CONSONANCE WITH THE DECADE ON FILIPINO NATIONALISM AND DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE (NHI) TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE CELEBRATION

WHEREAS, the year 1992 marks the centennial of the birth of the late Manuel A. Roxas, the first President of the Republic

of the Philippines and one of the foremost leaders and statesmen of our people;

WHEREAS, President Roxas spent his lifetime serving our country and people as Governor of the Province of Capiz, member and later Speaker of the House of Representatives, delegate to and one of the “seven wise men" of the 1935 Constitutional Convention, Senator and later President of the Senate, Secretary of Finance, and the last President of the Commonwealth and the

first President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1946 to 1948 when he died in office;

WHEREAS, President Roxas was instrumental in peacefuly achieving our independence from the United States as a sovereign

nation as a leading member of several independence missions, notably the "Qs-Rex" mission;

WHEREAS, President Roxas also served our country with great distinction in war as a Brigadier General in the Philippine Army

and actively led and supported the guerilla movement during World War ITI;

WHEREAS, in his brief term as President of the Philippines President Roxas instituted the nation's economic rehabilitation efforts after World War II and laid the foundations of many of the governmental institutions we now have today;

WHEREAS, it is important that the invaluable contributions of this great leader to the political emancipation of our people and the rebuilding of our nation be inculcated in the minds of our citizenry, particularly the youth of the land;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the spirit of service and self sacrifice demonstrated by President Roxas should always be remembered by the present and future generations of Filipinos;

WHEREAS, it is of prime importance,that the heroic deeds

and unquestioned loyalty and patriotism of this man from Capiz should be emulated;

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NOW, THEREFORE, L, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law,

do hereby declare the year 1992 as PRESIDENT MANUEL, A. ROXAS CENTENNIAL YEAR in consonance wi : i i

1. Prepare the general program of the Centennial

and submit a copy of the same to the President of the Philippines for her information;

2. Promote ana direct co throughout the Philip Cipalities, schools a late President Roxas;

mmemorative celebrations pines, especially in muni- nd places named after the

3. Collect, articles, Gent Roxas

edit and publish the important works, speeches and state Papers of Presi- that have not yet been published;

4. Commission a biography, writings, and books about the late President Roxas;

5. Erect fitting and inspiring monuments, markers, Or memorial buildings in honor of the late President Roxas in the appropriate and proper places;

6. Restore the birth place and other places which

are significant to the life ana times of the late President Roxas;

7. Coordinate with the Postal Services Office and the Central Bank relative to the issuance of commemorative stamps and coins and cause the

issuance of commemorative medals for the Roxas Centennial;

8. Prepare a documentary film of the life and times of the late President Roxas;

9. Initiate and sponsor the holding of an Inter- national History Conference at the University of the Philippines to evaluate the contribu-

tions of Manuel A. Roxas in the development of the Filipino nation; -

The National Histo the President Manuel A. committees composed of r

rical Institute in coordination with Roxas Foundation, Inc. may constitute epresentatives from other government

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offices and the private

sector in undertaking the above men- tioned activities.

The National Historical Institute may constitute an

Executive Committee in undertaking the above-mentioned acti- vities.

The National Historical Institute is authorize and receive gifts or donations and other conveyances of funds, materials and services gratuitously for use in the furtherance

of the above-mentioned activities subject to the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 373.

da to accept

The National Historical Institute is likewise empowered to call on any department, bureau, office or agency of the government including government-owned or controlled corpora- tions for such assistance as it may need in the discharge of its functions relative to the centenary celebration.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and

caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety one.

By the President:

FRANKDIN M. DRILON Executive Secretary